Each year millions of Americans suffer from allergies and the number of those affected are steadily increasing. Whether you suffer from seasonal allergens or allergies to pet dander or food, the symptoms are a reaction from the immune system to a foreign substance.
While most allergy sufferers run straight to their neighborhood drug store for fast over the counter relief, these medications may be causing more long term damage to your body than you may realize. Not to worry, there are natural ways to combat allergy symptoms that can have longer lasting effects on the immune system as well.
Chiropractic care is not often associated with allergy symptom relief, however, our body is heavily reliant on the communication that goes on between the brain and the spine. This communication allows the rest of the body to function properly. When there is a disconnect, say a misalignment in the neck or the back, the whole immune system can break down. This can often lead to respiratory irritation, allergic reactions and even asthma.
Having a chiropractic adjustment can help balance and realign the spine which can then repair the lines of communication from brain to spine. Although chiropractic adjustments can help strengthen the immune system, they also may help to limit the amount of cortisol that your body produces during peak allergy season as well as slowing down the release of inflammatory substances like histamines.
Spinal adjustments are just one tool chiropractors use to help patients combat the effects of allergies, based on the individual needs of the patient. Environment and certain foods can play a crucial role in whether symptoms are improved or increased.
A chiropractor can assess the unique situation and may offer suggestions for lifestyle and nutritional changes, as well as other natural ways to ward off sinus congestion and allergies such as:
- Saline Rinse: by using a neti pot or nasal spray, saline can help to thin mucous and help with drainage. You want to make sure you boil your water before making your own saline solution to help prevent bacterial contamination. This is a very important precaution you don’t want to skip as there have been reported cases of fatal brain infections linked to parasitic amoeba found in the use of neti pots.
- Herbal Supplements: There are many natural herbs available to help relieve symptoms caused by hay fever such as stinging nettle, milk thistle, and yarrow.
- Diet: You want to make sure you are consuming plenty of fruits and vegetables daily. This will ensure that you are getting a high source of vitamins and minerals through food.
- Multivitamins: Vitamins can help supplement your immune system where daily nutrition may be lacking.
If you are one of the millions of people who find themselves suffering from nasal allergies and congestion, and standard over the counter medications just aren’t getting the job done, Chiropractic care can get you on a healthy, natural routine to help alleviate symptoms long term and without the harmful and unwanted side effects of traditional medicines.